NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok K Lahiri has emphasised that Ladakh’s development strategy should build on its unique strengths, including its natural resources, cultural heritage and renewable-energy potential. He stressed that these advantages must be harnessed in a manner that ensures environmental sustainability and generates livelihood opportunities for the people of the Union territory. Lahiri was chairing a meeting with senior administrative officers, including chief secretary Ashish Kundra, here to review the ongoing projects and key challenges in infrastructure, connectivity, education, tourism, energy, water and employment, an official spokesperson said on Sunday. In the meeting on Saturday, Kundra briefed everyone about Ladakh’s finances and highlighted major economic challenges facing the the Union Territory. , along with sectorwise GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product), GSVA (Gross State Value Addition) and employment trends. Responding to the Chief Secretary’s request for support in strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ladakh, Lahiri said NITI Aayog would extend support for training and mentoring young entrepreneurs through initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission.

 

He also proposed creating a consolidated database of promising ideas and linking young entrepreneurs from Ladakh with experienced mentors from outside the Union Territory. The meeting discussed strengthening science, technology and innovation support for Ladakh and developing a roadmap with measurable milestones for economic and social development. Lahiri emphasised that Ladakh’s development strategy should focus on its unique strengths, including its natural resources, cultural heritage, human capital and renewableenergy potential, while ensuring environmental sustainability and generating sustainable livelihoods. The spokesperson said the meeting also discussed the infrastructure gap, particularly in energy and connectivity, and reviewed major ongoing and proposed initiatives, including the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), power transmission projects, road connectivity, the new domestic airport terminal, 4G connectivity and other major infrastructure projects.